Causes to Support - Health

31% of the rural population has access to potable water supply. 0.5% of the rural population has basic sanitation.Communicable diseases, Pre-natal and Maternal mortality causes approximately 470 deaths per 1,00,000people annually.Tuberculosis alone kills 5,00,000 per year
In every country the health of the people is the responsibility of the Government.

Health systems need to be concerned, not only with improving people's health, but also with protecting them against the financial costs of illness. The poor emerge as receiving the worst level of responsiveness. Practice related laws exist but their enforcement is weak and ineffective.
The mortality rates, the extent and severity of malnutrition, the spread of communicable diseases, and lack of access to sanitation and potable water constitute a cause for serious concern. There is an urgent need to restructure the health services; by setting up a comprehensive network.
Issues

I Primary Health
- Immunization
- Health Education* Health & Hygiene
- Nutrition

II Reproductive Health*

III Integrated Health Care Services*

IV Drug Abuse

V HIV AIDS

VI Cancer

VII T.B.

VIII Leprosy

IX Mental Health

X Bio Medical Research

XI Alternative & Indigenous Medicine

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Health and Hygiene

The status of health care in the country is alarming. Although, the life expectancy has increased, we are faced with the return of major infectious diseases like malaria, and tuberculosis, the non-communicable chronic diseases like cancer, mental disorders, circulatory diseases, bronchitis and asthma and heart disease are on the increase. Poverty and ignorance are major contributory causes for the high incidence of disease and mortality. The vicious circle of poverty leading to ill health needs to be broken

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Drug abuse

2,50,000 persons were registered with NGO run drug treatment centers. The Drug addicts were between the ages of 15 to 35.Drug abuse is a global phenomenon. It affects almost every country, although its extent and characteristics differ from region to region. Drug abuse trends around the world, especially among youth, have started to converge over the last few decades.

The social consequences of drug abuse particularly affect women, who face the double burden of caring for the addict, who may be abusive, and providing for the family.The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, supports about 400 NGOs for running counseling, treatment and rehabilitation centers. The Ministry of Health runs nearly 100 de-addiction centers attached to hospitals in the country.

Some relevant websites:

http://www.nida.nih.gov/

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HIV/AIDS

India is likely to have the highest number of AIDS cases in the world. By 2001 , more than 40million Indians would be HIV infected. India faces a major HIV/AIDS epidemic that threatens the country's achievements in health and development. Global experience suggests that a mature AIDS epidemic reduces life expectancy, increases the demand for medical care, worsens other illnesses such as tuberculosis, and exacerbates poverty and inequality. Since the first HIV and AIDS cases were reported in 1986, there has been a rapid increase in HIV prevalence and AIDS cases.

Some relevant websites:

www.mohfw.nic.in
www.unaids.org
www.who.org
www.worldbank.org

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Cancer

Being diagnosed with cancer is a process. It doesn't happen all at once. If you have just gotten word you may have cancer, probably have cancer, or even do have cancer, the type and stage of your cancer may still be unknown. In many cases, the doctors can be pretty sure of the type and stage just from the initial studies, but sometimes even the type of cancer is in question for quite some time. In order to even begin to start researching your cancer, you need to gather some basic information about your situation. You need:

· The Medical Name of Your Cancer
· The Stage of Your Cancer
· Possibly the Grade of Your Cancer
. Possibly Other Prognostic Factors

T.B.

At a time when SARS is in the headlines, it is important to remember that tuberculosis, too, is a dangerous infectious disease, killing more young people and adults than any other in the world, besides being the biggest killer of women. The editorial notes that most people are not overly concerned when diagnosed with TB, a sad reflection of the ignorance with which it is often regarded. Unlike other infectious diseases, TB can be cured: it only has to be detected in time. With increasing HIV infection weakening the immune system and the development of drug-resistant TB strains, it is not surprising that the disease has been on the rise in both developing and developed countries. TB can lie dormant so that many people play host to the bacteria. This makes life difficult not only for patients, but for doctors who must look for "bacterial needles in corporal haystacks." The 'skin prick' test that's been in use for the last 100 years has been the only real diagnostic tool available to the modern medicine man. Using the new Elispot test, doctors can now identify people with early dormant TB before they can infect others.

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Leprosy

Leprosy is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated, infected persons. Leprosy mainly affects the skin and nerves, and if untreated can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. Full control of leprosy has eluded mainly in Angola, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Mozambique and Nepal. These countries are committed to stepping up leprosy control activities.

Access to information, diagnosis and treatment with multidrug therapy is essential
Information campaigns about leprosy in high risk areas are crucial so that patients and their families, who were historically ostracized from their communities, are encouraged to come forward and receive treatment.Today, diagnosis and treatment of leprosy is easy. Essential work is being carried out to integrate leprosy services into existing, general health services. This is especially important for communities at risk for leprosy, which are often the poorest of the poor and under-served.

Mental Health

More than 10 million people are the victims of mental deficiencies.Mental handicap is a delay in the development of a child. A child with a mental handicap will learn things at a slower rate than other children of the same age. Mental handicap or retardation refers to a condition and not a disease. This is characterized by sub normality of intelligence. These disabled are dependent on others for daily activities.

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Alternative and Indigenous medicine

India has a rich heritage of medical and health sciences. The philosophy of Ayurveda and the approach of our ancient medical systems are of a holistic nature. The practitioners in areas of Ayurveda, Unani, Sidhi, Homeopathy, Yoga, and Naturopathy enjoy local acceptance and influence health beliefs. Efforts to dovetail and integrate them in the overall health care delivery system are being planned as an effective strategy.

Some relevant websites:

www.indianngos.com/issue/health/alternativemedicinengo.htm

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